Combined cigarette holder and ash receptacle

ABSTRACT

A combined cigarette holder and ash receptacle comprises a cigarette chamber in which the cigarette is substantially entirely enclosed. A clamp holds the cigarette firmly within the chamber such that only the non-lighted tip of the cigarette protrudes outwardly from the chamber. An ash receptacle is releasably connected to the opposite end of the chamber from the clamp to receive the ash formed during smoking of the cigarette. A one-way valve prevents the ash from returning to the cigarette chamber should the device be inverted.

United States Patent 11 1 1 111 3,827,444

Khan Aug. 6, 1974 COMBINED CIGARETTE HOLDER AND 3,173,425 3/1965 Cregory...'. 131/174 ASH RECEPTACLE FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Inventor: Yusuff Mflhammed Khan, 3 HObSOH 452,779 11/1948 Canada...) 131 /175 St., San Fernando, Trinidad And Tobago Primary Examiner loseph S. Reich [22] Filed; J 28, 1973 gag ng 1:2 am, or Firm-Cooper, Dunham, Clark, 211 Appl. No.: 374,775 m 30 F A D [57] ABSTRACT orelgn s Pnomy ata A combined cigarette holder and ash receptacle com- June 30, 1972 Trinidad And Tobago 65/72 prises a Cigarette Chamber in which the cigarette is substantially entirely enclosed. A clamp holds the cig- 52 05.51. 131/ 74, 131/175 arena firmly Within the chamber Such that only the non lighted of the cigarette protrudes outwardly [5 1 0 earc l3 l1 7 from the chamber. An ash receptacle is releasably connected to the opposite end of the chamber from [56] References the clamp to receive the ash formed during smoking of UNITED STATES PATENTS the cigarette. A one-way valve prevents the ash from 1,118,828 11/1914 Thomas 131/175 returning to the cigarette chamber should the device l,202,98l lO/l9l6 Ewen 4 l3l/l75 be inverted. l,2ll,07l l/l9l7 Brown. l3l/l74 1,665,612 4/1928 Stern 131/175 2 Claims, 7 Drawing Flgllres 22 e l 60 ea /4 2a COMBINED CIGARETTE HOLDER AND ASH RECEPTACLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a tobacco users appliance and in particular to a combined cigarette holder and ash receptacle.

It is known to combine various smokers appliances, such as cigarette holders and ash trays. However, it is desirable to provide a combination smokers appliance which can be used safely while smoking under hazardous conditions or during inclement weather. Thus, it is useful to have a device which permits a cigarette to be smoked in bed, in an environment in which an open flame is dangerous, while working at a desk or outdoors during rainy weather. It is further desirable to provide an appliance which collects the ash from a cigarette while it is being smoked.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide a tobacco users appliance which is capable of holding the ash which is formed during smoking of a cigarette.

Another object of the invention is to provide an appliance which permits smoking cigarettes in a hazardous environment or during inclement weather.

A further object of the invention is to provide an appliance which uses the heat created by a lighted cigarette for a portable hand warmer.

To these and other ends, the present invention contemplates a combined cigarette holder and ash receptacle including an open ended tube defining a chamber for receiving a cigarette disposed length wise therein. A clamp connected to one end of the tube holds the cigarette firmly within the chamber such that only the non-lighted tip of the cigarette protrudes outwardly therefrom. An ash receptacle is releasably connected to the opposite end of the tube from the clamp and is positioned such that the ash formed during smoking of the cigarette passes into the receptacle. A one-way flow regulation valve is located between the cigarette chamber and the ash receptacle. The valve permits the ash to enter the receptacle but prevents it from returning to the chamber. Thus the cigarette is substantially entirely contained within the appliance. This enables the cigarette to be smoked under hazardous and inclement conditions and permits retention of the ash and sparks.

burning of the cigarette.

At the end of the tube adjacent to the non-lighted tip of the cigarette, a clamp of relatively non-heat conducting material holds the cigarette firmly in place within the tube. The clamp preferably is a torus having an orifice through which the cigarette tip extends and which simply grasps the cigarette. Alternatively, it may be-a-truncated cone having an orifice through which the cigarette tip extends, the cigarette terminating within the cone such that it serves as a mouthpiece.

The ash receptacle is a closed end cap which telescopically engages the tube defining the cigarette chamber. When it is filled with ash, the receptacle can be readily removed from the cigarette chamber and the ash discarded. One-way flow regulation means, such as.

a valve, located at the junction of the cigarette chamber and the ash receptacle, permits the ash to travel into the receptacle while the cigarette is smoked or while it is held in an ash-end-down position, but prevents ash from returning to the cigarette chamber when the appliance is held such that the cigarette is in an ashend-up position. The valve may be a flap valve hingedly connected to the open end of the tube opposite the end at which the clamp is connected.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combined cigarette holder and ash receptacle in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is another embodiment of a clamp and mouthpiece for use in the apparatus;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 but showing another embodiment of the clamp and mouthpiece for use in the apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 of the drawings, there is shown a smokers appliance 10, which is a combined cigarette holder and ash receptacle. The appliance 10 comprises an open-ended tube 12 which defines a chamber 14 in which a cigarette 16 is disposed lengthwise. A clamp 18 holds the cigarette 16 firmly within the chamber such that only the non-lighted tip 20 of the cigarette protrudes outwardly. An ash receptacle 22 is releasably connected to the opposite end of the tube 12 from the clamp 18 and is positioned such that ash produced upon smoking of the cigarette passes into the receptacle. One-way flow regulation means 24 located between the chamber 14 and the receptacle 22 permits the ash to enter the receptacle but prevents the ash from returning to the chamber upon inversion of the appliance.

The tube 12 defines the cigarette chamber 14 and is a composite structure. It consists of a metal sleeve 26 surrounded by an insulating fiber sleeve 28. The metal sleeve 26 is an elongated, hollow, cylindrical, openended tube having a plurality of perforations 30 substantially throughout its wall. These perforations 30 permit smoke to escape from the cigarette chamber 14 and also permit oxygen to enter the chamber to maintain the cigarete burning. As the perforations 30 are of small diameter, for example of the order of l/ 16 in. in diameter, sparks are unable to escape from the cigarette chamber through the perforations. The sleeve 26 I is fabricated of a material such as brass for rigidity and for good heat transfer. As the ,metal sleeve transfers heat outwardly from the chamber 14, the sleeve may also serve as a portable hand heater when desired.

The fiber sleeve 28 is also an elongated, hollow, cylindrical, open-ended tube and has an interior wall slightly larger than the exterior wall of the metal sleeve 26. This permits the fiber sleeve to telescopically engage the metal sleeve. The fiber sleeve 28 is secured to the metal sleeve 26 by an adhesive. The fiber sleeve 28 is not as long as the metal sleeve 26; it only covers about two-thirds of the metal sleeve. This is sufficient length to permit the fiber sleeve, which is fabricated of a relatively non-heat conducting substance, to serve as a cool place for the users fingers to grip the appliance. Preferably, the fiber sleeve 28 also has a plurality of perforations 32 substantially throughout its wall. These perforations 32 correspond in size and position to the perforations 30 in the metal sleeve 26. Passages 34 are defined through the walls of both sleeves when corresponding perforations 30 and 32 are placed in registration.

At one open end 36 of the tube 12 is positioned the clamp 18. This clamp 18 holds the cigarette such that it does not contact the interior wall of the tube 12. Any such contact will hinder burning of the cigarette. As best seen in FIG. 4, the clamp 18, which is made of a relatively non-heat conducting fiber material, is generally toroidal in shape and has an orifice 38 extending entirely therethrough along the axis of the torus. The diameter of this orifice 38 is such as to provide snug engagement with the cigarette 16. Thus, the cigarette extends therethrough and the tip 20 is firmly held within the orifice. A hub 40 extends outwardly from the rear of the torus and is dimensioned to fit within the open end 36 of the tube in snug engagement with the interior wall of the metal sleeve 26. An adhesive may be used to secure the clamp to the metal sleeve. It is also contemplated that the hub 40 may be threaded and the interior of the metal sleeve 26 similarly threaded so that the clamp 18 threadedly engages the open end 36 of the tube.

It is not intended that the clamp 18 serve as a mouthpiece for the cigarette. The cigarette tip 20, which is preferably a filter, protrudes outwardly from the clamp 18 and it is this tip which is intended to be placed in the users mouth. The appliance, as a whole, generally serves no function as a cigarette filter.

In FIG. 5, there is shown a modified embodiment of the clamp 18. This modified clamp 42 serves the function of the clamp 18 and additionally the function of a mouthpiece. It has substantially the shape of a truncated cone, having an orifice 44 extending entirely therethrough along the axis of the cone. The orifice terminates in a slit 46 at the tip 48 of the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece, which is made of a relatively non-heat conducting material suitable for human use, is contoured so as to comfortably fit the users mouth. In this embodiment, the cigarette tip 20 does not extend entirely through the clamp, but terminates within its interior. Thus, the clamp serves as a holder for the cigarette. A hub 50 protrudes outwardly from the base of the clamp so that the clamp can be inserted in the open end 36 of the tube 12. This hub 50 may be threaded (FIGS. and 6) so that it can threadedly engage a corresponding threaded portion of the tube 12. As shown in FIG. 7, the hub may be pentagonal in shape (as at 54) and the interior of the tube 12 at the open end 36 may have a corresponding shape so that the mouthpiece does not rotate within the tube.

At the open end of the tube 12 opposite the open end 36 where the clamp 18 is attached is located the ash receptacle 22. The ash receptacle 22 is an elongated, hollow, cylindrical cap open at one end and is adapted to receive ash produced upon smoking of the cigarette 16. The receptacle 22 telescopically engages the end 60 of the tube 12. For this purpose, the diameter of the tube 12 at the open end 60 may be slightly reduced so that the receptacle 22 fits over the reduced portion and is the same diameter as the metal sleeve 26. As the receptacle 22 and the metal sleeve 26 are in telescoping engagement, the receptacle can be readily removed from the tube by pulling it off the tube. The receptacle is intended to be removed after it is filled with ash. It serves the function of collecting ash produced upon smoking of the cigarette so that the ash is not scattered.

The one-way means 24 located at the junction of the tube 12 and the ash receptacle 22 prevents the ash from returning to the cigarette chamber 14 from the receptacle 22 upon inversion of the appliance. This one-way means preferably is that shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings. There it can be seen that the one-way means 24 comprises a flap valve 64 connected at a hinge 66 to the tube 12 at the open end 60. The valve 64 is intended to engage a valve seat 68 which is defined by the perimeter of the open end of the tube. It should be appreciated, however, that the valve might also be located at the open end of the ash receptacle 22 or be part of a separate component which is fitted between the tube 12 and the ash receptacle 22. The valve 64 substantially closes the passage through the open end of the tube from the cigarette chamber 14 to the ash receptacle 22. When the cigarette smoking appliance is held in a horizontal or in an ash-end-down position, the valve 64 is spaced from its seat 68 so that the ash can travel from the cigarette chamber to the ash receptacle. Should the appliance be inverted such that the cigarette is in an ash-end-up position, the valve 64 is gravity biased into engagement with its seat to prevent the ash from returning to the cigarette chamber. Thus, the valve serves as a one-way flow regulator. Other one-way valves might also be used for this purpose.

In use of the appliance 10, a lighted cigarette 16 is inserted within the cigarette chamber 14 by pressing the cigarette through the orifice 38. It is intended that the filter tip 20 of the cigarette protrude outwardly from the clamp 18. The smoker holds the appliance in his hand as if he were holding the cigarette. His fingers are not burned because the sleeve 28 insulates his fingers from the cigarette. As the ciagrette is smoked, the ash passes through the valve 64 into the ash receptacle 22 where it is collected. After the cigarette has been smoked, the butt is removed and discarded and the ash receptacle 22 is disengaged from the end of the tube 12 and emptied.

The present invention provides a tobacco user's appliance which permits a cigarette to be smoked under hazardous and inclement conditions. The cigarette is almost entirely contained within the appliance so that if it is placed on a flammable surface, such as paper or bedding, it will not start a fire. It is difficult for sparks to escape through the small perforations in the appliance, yet smoke can exit through these perforations.

Ash is collected in a receptacle and is not permitted to be scattered. Moreover, as the cigarette is entirely enclosed, the smoker does not have to dispose of the cigarette if it should start to rain while he is outside. Of course, the appliance can also be used for other tobacco products, such as cigars.

What is claimed is:

1. A combined cigarette holder and ash receptacle,

comprising:

a. an open-ended tube defining a chamber for receiving a cigarette disposed lengthwise therein;

b. a clamp connected to one end of the tube for holding the cigarette firmly within the chamber such that only the non-lighted tip of the cigarette protrudes outwardly therefrom;

c. an ash receptacle releasably connected to and communicating with the opposite end of the tube from the clamp such that ash passes therein during smoking of the cigarette; and

d. a valve hingedly connected at the open end of the tube adjacent the ash receptacle and adapted to substantially prevent the passing of ashes through the open end of the tube from the chamber to the ash receptacle; and

e. a valve seat, the valve being spaced from the seat when the cigarette is held in a horizontal or in an ash-end-down position to permit the passage of ash into the ash receptacle and the valve being gravity biased into engagement with the seat when the cigarette is in an ash-end-up position to prevent ash from returning from the ash receptacle to the chamber containing the cigarette.

2. A holder in accordance with claim 1, wherein said tube comprises:

sleeves. 

1. A combined cigarette holder and ash receptacle, comprising: a. an open-ended tube defining a chamber for receiving a cigarette disposed lengthwise therein; b. a clamp connected to one end of the tube for holding the cigarette firmly within the chamber such that only the nonlighted tip of the cigarette protrudes outwardly therefrom; c. an ash receptacle releasably connected to and communicating with the opposite end of the tube from the clamp such that ash passes therein during smoking of the cigarette; and d. a valve hingedly connected at the open end of the tube adjacent the ash receptacle and adapted to substantially prevent the passing of ashes through the open end of the tube from the chamber to the ash receptacle; and e. a valve seat, the valve being spaced from the seat when the cigarette is held in a horizontal or in an ash-end-down position to permit the passage of ash into the ash receptacle and the valve being gravity biased into engagement with the seat when the cigarette is in an ash-end-up position to prevent ash from returning from the ash receptacle to the chamber containing the cigarette.
 2. A holder in accordance with claim 1, wherein said tube comprises: a. a first elongated, hollow, cylindrical, open-ended sleeve of relatively high heat conducting material having its wall perforated substantially throughout; and b. a second elongated, hollow, cylindrical, open-ended sleeve of relatively non-heat conducting material having an interior wall slightly larger than the exterior wall of the first sleeve such that the second sleeve telescopically engages the first sleeve, the wall of the second sleeve being perforated substantially throughout and corresponding to the perforations of the first sleeve to define fixed passages through the walls of the telescopically engaged sleeves. 